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Is the Catholic Church infallible?
First of all i know Catholics point out some bible "verses" for infallibility like that binding or loosing,... But i have some questions (because i want to know the truth). First did He gave that right (to bind and loose, to forgive sins or retain them,...) to only the Apostoles or to theirs successors too? If yes successors too, then where are any successors of the Apostoles mentioned in the Bible and where in the Bible does He gives them that authority?
Second in 1 Peter 2:5–9 it says that we (believers) are all holy priesthood (correct me if im wrong) so if we are all holy priesthood and the Church i think consists of priests, does that mean that we are all, not only the present priest that became priests but all believers cannot make a mistake about faith because He is with us. So did he actually gave that infallibility to us, the holy priesthood (believers) who are the Church and not only to the ones who are the leaders of the Church(pope) or the ones we usually call priests? Am i assuming correct here? Also if the Church would be infallible and they did a right thing in the times of crusades, Spanish conquest of Mesoamerica,injustices to women,,...why did then pope John Paul II apologize for these things? Did he admitted that the Church did a wrong decision which would of been impossible if the Church is infallible? |
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As one who generally defends the Church, I can attest that the Catholic Church is not infallible.
All churches and denominations are not infallible, for they are ran by sinful human beings: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God -Roman 3:23. The Catholic Church is just as infallible as the divided 3500 Protestant denominations (that can't seem to create more of a united front). The Catholic Church is far, far from ideal...there are many other denominations that I have a lot more respect for in their doctrine (notably the Quakers for their platform of love and pacifism). Politics and East-West rivalries created schisms. and the Church broke apart (the Church was also very corrupt, actually forcing people to pay a ''Heaven Tax''...horrible). Lol some Popes were even ''martyred'' by the husbands of the women they cheated with (poor Pope John XII...talk about adultery). The early Protestants wanted to create a better version of the Catholic Church (the Lutheran and Anglican Churches, which has quite a lot of Catholic traditions), but they ended splitting up and multiplying. Also it is quite apparent that the Lutheran Church was pretty horrible, Martin Luther was a total anti-Semite who exterminated many Jews in Germany (a 16th century Hitler). As for the Anglicans...what they did to the Catholic population in the British Isles is horrid, makes me have a little sympathy for Guy Fawkes. If the Catholic Church was truly infallible, why did we have corrupt Popes? Why did we have all the wars caused by the Church? Though in our defence, the Pope has fully apologised and the Church is the largest non-government aid provider in the world...we are repenting for our past sins. However my issue is that I believe in a universal church...one body, one faith...Europe and Asia Minor used to be Catholic, they used to belong to one body. We Catholics believe in the unity and friendship of all Christians, no more sectarian division. I know that we may have different views, but the fundamental principles of seeing Christ as our Lord and His Sacrifice is the same with Catholics as it is to (most) non-Catholic Christians. I want there to be unity...I want everyone to be part of the same Church, the same Body, just like Christ had ordered us. He did not want division and sectarianism, He wanted us to worship Him in community by way of the Holy Spirit. Thus I don't really mind about the Church making compromises and concessions, as long as we can become more integrated. This is what the Church has been doing these past few decades, leaving the path of elitism and finding common ground between other Christians (as well as Muslims and Jews, John Paul II actually kissed the Quran...no Protestant would ever dream of doing that). Catholic means universal by the way...we are the universal Christians, we want everyone to worship the Lord in One Body, as He commanded us to.
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Originally Posted by donttazemebro
I'm a baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic though not a practicing one. But didn't the apostles gather to choose a successor to Judas as one of their early acts? I will grant those involved in the selection process appears to have included more than just men who were among the original 12 apostles. Since in Acts 1:14 we are told it included others including women. And in verse 15 we are told the believers numbered about 120. So it may not have been done as is done in the Catholic Church today. But the apostles gathered along with the others and in Acts 1:24 they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry".First of all i know Catholics point out some bible "verses" for infallibility like that binding or loosing,... But i have some questions (because i want to know the truth). First did He gave that right (to bind and loose, to forgive sins or retain them,...) to only the Apostoles or to theirs successors too? If yes successors too, then where are any successors of the Apostoles mentioned in the Bible and where in the Bible does He gives them that authority? And in regard to the injustices, it's the same as the answer they give in regard to any scandal within the Catholic Church. I heard it over and over again in light of the sex and child abuse scandals: The infallibility they believe in has to do with teachings of faith and morals. But Catholic priests and bishops are not immune from sin and like any human, can fail to live up to their teachings. Don't get me wrong. I'm not defending injustices. I too have difficulty with some of the fruits by which to know them who preach the sanctity of life and I would hope knew better. But if you want the faithful Catholic perspective, I think may have to look at injustices more along these lines. It's more along the lines of do as I say. Not necessarily as I do. |
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Originally Posted by donttazemebro
First of all i know Catholics point out some bible "verses" for infallibility like that binding or loosing,... But i have some questions (because i want to know the truth). First did He gave that right (to bind and loose, to forgive sins or retain them,...) to only the Apostoles or to theirs successors too? If yes successors too, then where are any successors of the Apostoles mentioned in the Bible and where in the Bible does He gives them that authority? No. By the way this is not the forum for Roman Catholics (those that Paladin Vader refers to as "Vatican Catholics". That would be OBOB (One Bread One Body) I'm guessing that is where you meant to direct this question. |
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Originally Posted by donttazemebro
About Mt 16:19 binding and loosing.First of all i know Catholics point out some bible "verses" for infallibility like that binding or loosing,... But i have some questions (because i want to know the truth). First did He gave that right (to bind and loose, to forgive sins or retain them,...) to only the Apostoles or to theirs successors too? If yes successors too, then where are any successors of the Apostoles mentioned in the Bible and where in the Bible does He gives them that authority? If you can get hold of some greek text on the verse, You will notice it say, That what you bind on earth having already been bound in heaven, and having loosed on earth having already been bound in heaven. The way it should be read is that God has already taken the action of binding and loosing |
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Originally Posted by CAJ
He put this question in all Apostolic Succession Churches.No. By the way this is not the forum for Roman Catholics (those that Paladin Vader refers to as "Vatican Catholics". That would be OBOB (One Bread One Body) I'm guessing that is where you meant to direct this question. Also in the section "Apostolic Succession Churches", and at OBOB and at Charismatic Catholics. Either he's a troll, or he thinks that everything that is catholic (with a small c) is the Roman Catholic Church.
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Originally Posted by Kurama
The early Protestants wanted to create a better version of the Catholic Church (the Lutheran and Anglican Churches, which has quite a lot of Catholic traditions), but they ended splitting up and multiplying. Also it is quite apparent that the Lutheran Church was pretty horrible, Martin Luther was a total anti-Semite who exterminated many Jews in Germany (a 16th century Hitler). Beg pardon!? You really should learn at least the rudiments of history before popping off with nonsense like that. |
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Indeed, it always amazes me that some Roman Catholics seem utterly oblivious to the history of persecution conducted by their own church throughout its history. Also, it should be said that all churches are not perfect and have checkered pasts, but some Catholics just refuse to accept their church has a less than perfect past.
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Originally Posted by Sean611
That's true, but I wasn't concerned about a balanced approach. The boldfaced claim that Luther "exterminated many Jews" like Hitler is jaw-dropping, to say the least!Indeed, it always amazes me that some Roman Catholics seem utterly oblivious to the history of persecution conducted by their own church throughout its history. Also, it should be said that all churches are not perfect and have checkered pasts, but some Catholics just refuse to accept their church has a less than perfect past. |